UUV completes underwater mine-hunting trials

QUINCY, Mass. General Dynamics Mission Systems reports that it has successfully completed a comprehensive evaluation of Knifefish, an autonomous surface mine countermeasure (SMCM) unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV), in coordination with the U.S. Navy.

The Knifefish tests were held in the ocean near Boston using submerged Navy mine test targets. The UUV simulated mine-hunting missions as it located and classified mine test targets submerged at various depths and on the sea floor. General Dynamics says that Knifefish is also capable of locating and identifying mines that are buried in the sea floor.

According to the company, Knifefish will reduce risk to personnel by operating in the minefield as an off-board sensor while the host ship is able to remain outside the minefield boundaries.